Testimonies-tanzania

My time at LWCC was busy but it was a fantastic experience

I was at LWCC for 9 weeks from October through to December and it was everything I could have hoped for and much, much more. I was welcomed into my host family with open arms and by the end of my stay really felt like part of the family

When I arrived I was the first volunteer and at first I found this a little daunting but my mind was soon put at ease when I chatted to the family and the teachers about how I could help and I realized that there was loads of stuff that needed doing where I could be of assistance. The work of volunteers at LWCC was varied. On any given day I could be going to the new land and helping with the building work, helping with the newsletter, or perhaps going into town to get the maize and flour for the children at the center. However the majority of my work was with the children themselves. During the first month I was there I did some classroom teaching and during my second month I was given the job of teaching English to Standard 3. I also played games and sports with the kids, baked cookies and did art and craft among many other things.

One thing that all volunteers are expected to do is to go to the center from 3.00 and help the kids with homework and play with them. This was always the best part of the day as the children were relaxed as it was no longer school time. At this time we generally good fun reading, playing in the garden, dancing to the radio and cds or just chatting.

As well as the work that you do whilst at the center the family are also keen to introduce volunteers to Arusha and the surrounding area and arrange trips such as to nearby Lake Duluti or to the UN tribunal for the Rwanda Genocide.

My time at LWCC was busy but it was a fantastic experience and one which I hope to repeat and I would recommend it to anyone.

LARA

Experience at the Living Water Children Center

Overall, we are very happy with our experience at the Living Water Children Center. This center is doing a good job under difficult circumstances caring for children in need, most of whom have lost their parents due to AIDS. The children seemed happy and well behaved.

There were 9 children from ages 2 through 9 living at the center during most of the time we visited (Jan. 1-8), as many of the children had gone to visit a relative from their extended family over the
holiday. Those staying at the center over the holiday were those that "had no where to go, " and spending time with them was a rewarding experience. Children began returning to the center on Jan. 6, and most had returned by the time we departed on Jan. 8. The center usually has 25-to-30
live in children. Additional children from the area attend classes at the center's day school.

Several times each day we played games or went on walks with the children. We taught them to ride the new bikes recently donated by a volunteer. We read with the children and gave private tutoring in reading each morning for about an hour. We ate with them on several occasions. The Kimaros organized a celebration dinner, which the volunteers helped cook, at their home on Jan. 7 to welcome the returning children and new volunteers and so that we could say goodbye. We visited briefly at the center's school, which reopened Jan. 8.

Our 11-year old daughter, Katy, was their youngest volunteer ever. She and the children enjoyed getting to know each other. Our hosts gave us plenty of traditional, tasty food - such as chipate
(fried bread), soups and stews, lentils, rice, veggie slaw and fresh pineapple. The room where we stayed in the hosts' home was clean and pleasant. The bathroom does have hot water (our placement sheet said there was no hot water.)

Thank you for the opportunity to participate in this program.
Kay Brown